PSU trustees approve changes; incumbents rejected

Suhey, a former football player, left quickly out a side door after the meeting. He and Deviney were on the board in November 2011.

Suhey’s candidacy especially drew criticism from other former players, exposing a rift in the Penn State football family. He said in a statement that he was honored to have served the board for 15 years. He offered congratulations to the incoming members, who will take their seats in July.

The third seat up for election belonged to Steve Garban, who resigned last summer. Garban was board chairman in November 2011.

More than 33,000 ballots were cast in this year’s election, down from the record 37,000 last year but still a much higher turnout than in elections before the scandal.

Doran was the top vote-getter with more than 15,000 votes, Oldsey was second with nearly 14,000 and Brown was third at more than 11,000.

Suhey was fourth with about 4,500 votes. Deviney finished with just more than 2,000 votes.

“Having three new reformist candidates come in sends a message very loud and clear to the board,” Doran said.

Masser said he was looking forward to getting to know the new trustees and working with them.

Bank of New York Mellon president Karen Peetz was re-nominated for another three-year term as a business trustee. The business trustees are selected by board members.

Lawyer Richard Dandrea was approved to take the business trustee seat of U.S. Steel chairman John Surma, whose departure had been sought by critical alumni upset after he announced Paterno’s firing at a hastily called news conference.

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